Ten Questions About Navy SEAL Training, Job, and Life 

     

1. What training does a career in the SEALs require?

See SEALSWCC.com for the preparation details about the journey to get TO BUD/S but also read this as many people can get TO BUD/S but only 25% make it THROUGH BUD/S.

To and THrough BUD/S Article with video / additional links to learn

FIRST - Ace the PST - See article / videos for PST preparation guidelines. 

SECOND - Go see a recruiter - But read this - are you really ready? 

Crush the PST with your Mentor on Day 1  

Extra reading during your prep journey - So You Wanna Be a Frogman

Final Note:  This preparation process can take some time even if you were a three sport athlete in high school.  Do not be in a rush to join - join when you are ready and make yourself a Better Recruit (see Be a Better Recruit Video) because this is what you have to endure. 

Boot Camp - 9 total weeks in Great Lakes IL
BUD/S Prep - 6-9 weeks in Coronado, CA
BUD/S Orientation at Coronado, CA - 2 weeks
BUD/S Training - 21 weeks (1st Phase - Physical Conditioning + Hellweek, 2nd Phase- Diving, 3rd Phase - Land Warfare)

SQT - SEAL Qualification Training - 26 weeks - Coronado, CA

2. What particular specialization of the SEALs were you in?  What additional special training did it require? I went to the SDV Team TWO after BUD/S graduation - then through six months of STT - SEAL Tactical Training with all the new guys on the East Coast Teams (aka today's SQT).  Then Advanced Operator Training (AOT) at SDV to learn how to do the SDV / Mar Ops Mission off of submarines. We launched mini-subs and zodiac boats from a host submarine, using it as our primary insertion method for SEAL missions. This required LOTS of dive time. 

I then got stationed at the Naval Academy, was a Company Officer, ran the SEAL Prep program, and helped the PE Department with remedial training programs (PFT, Swim Training). 

3. What natural abilities or interests are needed for a career in the SEALs? Be an open-minded team player willing to learn something new each day and listen to people with more experience or less experience with better ways and ideas to tackle problems. A natural discipline to work hard every day whether is training workouts or long days and night of mission preparation. The discipline and dedication to stay fit is instrumental in being able to do the job. 

4. Is there good job availability for those who choose the SEALs?  No - The SEAL community is small.  More people try to be SEALs each year that make it. With a 25% graduation rate, if 1000 people make it through the pre-selection process, only 250 will graduate. It is a tight community that has some of the toughest military training in front of the gates to the Teams. Are you prepared to be in the top 25% of your peers?

5. Would you rate the opportunities for advancement as poor, fair, good, or excellent?  I would say good to excellent.  Advancement is available for those who rise to the top in their year group, team, and within their specialty; however, it is competitive. You are competing with other SEALs throughout the Teams to advance in rank.

6. Could you list a particular advantage of being a SEAL?  A particular disadvantage?  You do a fun, challenging, and rewarding job in the SEAL Teams no matter what your role.  You are serving your country with an elite team of like-minded warriors; however, you have to do this job far from home.  Being away from home is a tough challenge as you age with a spouse and family to raise. However, this is no different from any other military unit in our Department of Defense.  It is tough on military families the most. 

7. Do you have any special advice for someone interested in the SEALs (such as things to study)?  Be a good student - not some average Joe who fails classes.  You need to be smart, able to think and communicate under duress. You need basic English skills in writing and public speaking.  You need math skills and understand concepts of algebra, geometry, and the science of physics and chemistry.  Languages are also a plus as you will be overseas in other cultures of our allies as well as our enemies.

8. Are there any current problems faced by most SEALs?   There are people in the world who hate Americans and want to kill us - whether that is our fault or theirs, it does not matter. SEALs, other Special Ops, and Ground forces have to deal with them up close and personal. That is an issue the SEALs are willing to do if needed. When there is no war and more peacetime training deployments, a warrior without a war can also be equally challenging to the community. Dealing with the stresses of the job in any tactical profession is a problem that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.  Having access to stress-relieving activities can be extremely helpful for the war-fighter and other tactical athletes as well (police, fire). 

9. Why did you choose to become a Navy SEAL as your profession? Being part of a close-knit team of people that were willing to do anything physically possible to succeed was something that drew me to this community.  I cannot say I had a profession as a SEAL.  I only did 8 years as a SEAL so you could call my Navy career more of an apprenticeship than anything else. 

My 20+ profession occurred when I got out and became a coach and fitness writer.  I write fitness articles from Military.com  and other websites/magazines as well. But I also specialize in tactical fitness and prepare people to get TO and THROUGH any military, police, or firefighting program they seek to prepare for in order to serve their country or community.  Now, I coach locally for free with my Heroes of Tomorrow program, but I also have online programs that work just as well if you cannot make it to my local training. In fact, I teach this method of Tactical Fitness Periodization and have been personally doing it myself for over 20 years.  It Works!  After 40, you may feel like your body is wrecked - especially as a former athlete turned tactical athlete.  This is where Tactical Fitness Over 40 comes in. There are New Rules for Tactical Fitness Over 40

10.  What do you recommend for someone to start training for this journey? I recommend being highly active as a kid and building up your natural abilities through play, sports, manual labor, and general toughness. Once you are done with sports, start your more specific preparation and work on your weaknesses when you realize you have a few or many even.  See the types of standards needed (ballpark recommendations) for a future in spec ops by getting TO and THROUGH the training...

Physical Assessment Tool for Those Acknowledging Weakness / Strengths

But WHICH Program IS RIGHT FOR ME

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